One of the last remaining crystal outlets in Perth and Kinross looks set to close its doors.
It’s been confirmed that the owners of Stuart Crystal in Crieff’s Muthill Road have pencilled in April 27 as a date for closure of the well-known local shop.
Seven full-time staff and a casual employee will lose their jobs when the shop closes, but local politicians are keen for WWRD United Kingdom Ltd – the shop’s owners – to consider other options for the store which sells specialist crystal, china and tableware.
It will leave the area only having glass making taking place at the Caithness Glass site in Crieff and Kinross-based John Moncrieff Ltd . The latter’s biggest legacy was Monart Glass, which started production in the 1920’s in Perth.
Caithness Glass ceased production at their Perth site in 2008 and then moved out to Crieff.
On Thursday, WWRD United Kingdom Ltd cited the cost of repairs to the Stuart Crystal building as the reason for the closure and stated it will shut on April 27, along with its cafe.
A WWRD spokesperson said: “Following a recent review, it has become clear the Crieff outlet requires costly repairs and restoration, which will adversely impact its future profitably. WWRD UK has proposed its closure and entered into a formal consultation period with those people potentially affected.
“The company regrets the need to make this proposal and will seek to avoid, mitigate and reduce the risk of potential job losses.”
However, the decision has been met with anger from Roseanna Cunningham, SNP MSP for Perthshire South and Kinross-shire, who said she was “very disappointed” to learn of the announcement.
“My primary concern is for those who will be directly impacted by the closure with the loss of their jobs,” she commented.
“I hope some way can be found for this decision to be reversed.
“The shop and cafe have been an important part of what Crieff has to offer tourists for a considerable time.
“I understand the closure plans centre around the cost of repairs requiring to be made. However, I will be contacting Stuart Crystal regarding what other options might be pursued.”
Councillor Rhona Brock, an Independent representative for Strathearn, added: “This has come as quite a surprise and I’m sure a lot of people won’t be aware of this announcement.
“The building’s been there for a very long time. It’s going to be sad when it closes as a lot of people use the shop and also the café, which has a car park right next to it.
“It’s a visitor attraction.”
She continued: “I’m sorry for the staff, who are so helpful. They do engraving there as well.
“The service is there on site and is excellent.
“I would hope something could be done and a meeting could take place to see if there is any way we can prevent the closure.”
